Local

Woman accused of stealing purses from funeral homes

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – A Clarksville woman has been arrested after she was accused of stealing purses from funeral homes and churches in the area.

WKRN News 2 reports that Paula Mullens, 49, approached Nancy Thompson June 5 during a visitation at Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home. She said Mullens distracted her with small talk and after she left she realized her purse, which had been hanging on a chair, was gone.

Thompson said she lost about $1,600 and all her identification cards.

According to court documents, the day before, Mullens also stole a purse from a woman attending a funeral at Hilldale Church of Christ and two purses from women who got up during a viewing at Sykes Funeral Home.

Mike Parchman, owner of Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home, said four days after the incident Mullens returned and was spotted signing the register book. He brought her into his office where she was interviewed by police.

Mullens was arrested on four counts of theft and booked into the Montgomery County Jail on $80,000 bond.

A search of Clarksvillenow.com records shows Mullens has appeared in ‘Mugshots’ eight times in the past year on charges of forgery, theft, DUI, vandalism, burglary, and aggravated burglary.